Compact analyzer with spatial modulation and multiple intensity modulated excitation sources

摘要

A compact analyzer includes a flow cell having a flow channel through which a sample is made to pass. First and second light sources are arranged to emit first and second excitation light into first and second overlapping portions of the flow channel, respectively. The first excitation light stimulates a first light emission from particles of a first particle type that may be present in the sample; the second excitation light stimulates a second light emission from particles of a second particle type. A detector receives the first and second light emission from the corresponding particles present in the sample in a detection portion of the flow channel, and provides a detector output based on the received light emission. The light sources are modulated at different frequencies so that a frequency analysis of the detector output can provide separate information about the first and second particle types.

主权项

1. An apparatus for analyzing a sample that may comprise particles of at least a first and second particle type, the apparatus comprising:
a flow channel through which the sample can pass; a first light source adapted to emit first excitation light into a first excitation portion of the flow channel, the first excitation light adapted to stimulate a first light emission from particles of the first particle type; a second light source adapted to emit second excitation light into a second excitation portion of the flow channel, the second excitation light adapted to stimulate a second light emission from particles of the second particle type; a detector disposed to receive at least a portion of the first and second light emission from the corresponding particles that may be present in the sample in a detection portion of the flow channel, the detection portion overlapping with the first and second excitation portions of the flow channel, the detector adapted to provide a detector output based on the received light emission; and a spatial filter having a pattern of variable transmission, the spatial filter being disposed between the detection portion of the flow channel and the detector, the spatial filter further being adapted to transmit light emanating from the particles that may be present in the flow channel by varying amounts as such particles travel along the detection portion of the flow channel; wherein the first light source is adapted to emit the first excitation light at a first modulation frequency ν1, and the second light source is adapted to emit the second excitation light at a second modulation frequency ν2 different from ν1 and the first and second modulation frequencies are each faster than a modulation associated with the variable transmission of the spatial filter.